Solid Waste Action Plan (SWAP)

The 2013 Solid Waste Action Plan (SWAP), adopted in August 2013, laid out a path for the City to achieve 50% waste diversion by 2015. The SWAP was based on a partnership model and focused on four key commodities: cardboard, clean wood, organic waste, and mixed recycling.

SWAP

Partners in Waste diversion

The SWAP relies on collaboration with private sector haulers and recycling processors to help shape programs and services. The newly revised City of Whitehorse Sustainability Plan recognizes and supports the need for increased waste diversion.

Go from knowing the right thing to doing the right thing. The SWAP is your opportunity to reduce your impact on the Whitehorse you love while also reducing the future costs of living.

what you need to know

All Whitehorse residents, businesses and organizations have a role to play—“be a good sort” and sort your waste!

Electronic waste (also known as e-waste), hazardous waste, large metal items, cardboard, organic waste, bulky items, tires and construction & demolition waste do not belong with regular waste and are not welcome in the landfill. These items, which are designated as controlled or banned under the Waste Management Bylaw, must be sorted and handled separately. They are subject to an unsorted tipping fee ($250/tonne) if not separated from regular waste.

Paper, plastics, glass, tin and Styrofoam (typical “blue box” items) are not currently “controlled,” although it is desirable to keep these recyclable materials out of the landfill too. Visit our sections for residents, businesses or waste service providers for specific information on recycling.

Good news! Meeting our goals is completely within reach. If organics, cardboard, wood, recyclables, metals, household hazardous waste and e-waste are removed from the waste stream, we would see about 70% less thrown away, and we would easily reach our goal.

Waste Sorting App

Sorting your waste is easy with our What Goes Where app. Type the name of an item into the search bar and we will give you recycling, composting, or disposal options.